1. NMSI’S COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM
Ringgold High School

2. Introduction What is Advanced Placement (AP)?
Who is the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)?
What is NMSI’s College Readiness Program?
How will NMSI’s College Readiness Program benefit your district?

3. What is AP?
AP courses are college-level courses offered in high school.
Courses reflect what is taught in top introductory college courses
Students take an AP exam at the end of each course, measuring their mastery of college-level work
A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced college courses

4. AP MSE Courses at Ringgold
English: AP Language and Composition & AP Literature and Composition
Math and Computer Science: Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science Principles and Statistics
Science: Biology, Environmental Science, Physics 1 and Physics C

5. Benefits of AP
Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills:
Taking an AP course helps students build critical thinking skills, confidence, and the essential time-management and study skills needed for college success
Nationally, research shows that students who score a 3 or higher on an AP exam typically earn higher grade point averages in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers

6. Benefits of AP (continued)
Taking AP is valued in the college admission process:
85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions
Colleges rank grades in college-preparatory courses and strength of curriculum as the two top factors in the admission decision
AP courses tell college admission officials that students are challenging themselves and preparing for the rigors they'll encounter in their college careers
Opportunity to earn valuable credit and placement in college

7. Benefits of AP at University of Pittsburgh
Exam Min. Score Req. No. of Credits
European Hist
Macro/Microecon
Physics 1&
5 6
Physics C- Mech
Psychology
Statistics
US Gov
US History
Exam Min. Score Req. No. of Credits
Biology
5 8
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Computer Sci
English Lang
SAT Verbal 6
English Lit

8. National Math + Science Initiative Who We Are, What We Do, and How We Do It
Exam
Title Min. Score
Required Number
of Credits Equivalent
Course
Psychology 3 3 PSYCH 1100
Spanish Language and Culture 3 8 SPANISH 1101, 1102
4 12 SPANISH 1101, 1102, 1103
5 15 SPANISH 1101, 1102, 1103, 2202
Statistics 3 3 STAT 1450
4 3 STAT 2450
Studio Art: 2-D Design Portfolio 3 3 ART GEN (general credit)
United States Government and Politics 3 3 POLITSC 1100
United States History 3 6 HISTORY 1151, 1152
NMSI is a nonprofit organization, launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education and science to transform education in the United States.
Our Mission: To inspire, engage and e​​mpower all students to succeed in today's knowledge economy by advancing STEM teaching and learning. Our Vision: Every student graduates from high school prepared to succeed in college and career.
Our Approach: Identify effective, efficient programs; create replication protocols to ensure fidelity; then take them to scale
College Readiness Program
Laying the Foundation Teacher Training Program
UTeach Expansion Program

9. College Readiness Program: Elements of Success
NMSI’s College Readiness Program:
Dramatically increases the number of students taking and earning qualifying scores on AP math, science, and English exams
Expands access to traditionally underrepresented students 9

10. Elements of Success: Support for Teachers
AP Teacher Summer Institute (APSI) - AP Teachers attend four-day training sessions prior to the first year of the program and in subsequent summers during the program years.
Two-Day Workshops - AP Teachers attend two-day teacher workshops during the fall to reinforce summer training.
Mock Exam/Reading Training - AP Teachers attend one-day teacher trainings to learn how the exam is graded in sessions led by NMSI “readers”.
Training for non-AP teachers - NMSI provides its Laying the Foundation Teacher Training for teachers in grades 3-12 for four days during the summer for three consecutive years to increase rigor in their classrooms to build the pipeline of students ready for AP. LTF Resources
Support of AP teachers - AP Teachers receive support provided by NMSI mentors – AP teachers who have achieved excellent AP results.

11. Elements of Success: Student Support
Student Study Sessions:
The College Readiness Program includes at least three AP extracurricular study sessions per subject, which are typically held on Saturdays and are led by state and national AP experts while the students’ classroom teachers observe.
Equipment and Supplies:
Each school receives $35,000 for equipment and supplies over a three-year period.
Examination Fee Subsidy:
Students typically receive half the cost of the exam fee from NMSI or the school district (the College Board fee for one exam in 2015 is $91.00).

12. Elements of Success: Financial Support
Student Exam Fees
Total paid for low income students / half paid for all other students
Student Awards
$100 for each AP exam score of 3, 4, or 5 in AP math, science and/or English
School Support
$35,000 for equipment and supplies over a three year period
All incentives are for math, science and English only.

13. Program Manager, Southwestern PA
Jaclyn Castma
Program Manager, Southwestern PA